DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

SUNDAY , FEBRUARY 2, 2014 | EPIPHANY FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY YEAR A              Old Testament       Micah 6:1–8              Psalm       Psalm 15 (UMH 747)              New Testament       1 Corinthians 1:18–31              Gospel       Matthew 5:1–12 Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

Figs and Pomegranates  Numbers 20:5 Excerpt ‎The fruit listed were those very fruits that the scouts had brought back from the land forty years before ( 13:23 ). They still suffered from the same syndrome of unbelief. How easily they had forgotten the numerous times when God had miraculously provided them food, water, and shelter in the desert! Cole, R. Dennis. Numbers . Vol. 3B . Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. The New American Commentary .

Humbling Yourself 2 Kings 22:19 Excerpt ‎ Josiah is commended for being responsive and humbling himself. The Heb. kana˒ suggests public humiliation, with undertones of shame and dishonor. But only if one is humbled against his will! A person who humbles himself before God as Josiah did openly confesses himself a sinner, crushed and hopeless. This is our appropriate response when we realize how we fall short of meeting God’s standards , and how greatly we stand in need of forgiving grace. Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed . Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Bearing One Another's Burden's  Excerpt ‎Paul addressed his advice to “those who are spiritual,” the pneumatikoi. Again, there has been much scholarly debate about who these “spirituals” were. W. Schmithals, among others, has argued on the basis of this word that Paul was addressing here an incipient party of Gnostics whose disruptive activities among the Galatians had occasioned occasioned Paul’s letter in the first place. Although later Gnostics did use the word pneumatikoi as a term of self-designation, there is no reason to believe that Paul was here addressing such a self-conscious heretical group. Another, more plausible interpretation has been set forth by those who detect a note of irony and sarcasm in Paul’s use of this term in the Galatian context. Given the picture that has already emerged of a group of fractious Christ ians consumed by arrogance, conceit, and selfish ambition, we can well imagine that a group of “Holy Joe's” and “Pious Polly's” had...

Ethical Exhortation ‎This subsection contains three distinct units: 4:1–2 , 4:3–8 , and 4:9–12 .  The first contains general parenesis articulating the proposition to be demonstrated in the probate. namely, that the readers know how to conduct themselves in order to please God . The second and third subsections address issues arising in the community. The social function of this material is twofold: it helps to define the boundaries of the community (that is, what it means to be a Christ ian ) over against the dominant pagan society, while at the same time it helps to develop what Meeks (First Urban Christ ians , 100) describes as “internal cohesion” within the community. Wanamaker, Charles A. The Epistles to the Thessalonians : a Commentary on the Greek Text . Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990. Print. New International Greek Testament Commentary .

"You Also Have a Master in Heaven" Excerpt ‎You who are masters of others have a Master yourself, and are servants of another Lord . You are not lords of yourselves, and are accountable to one above you. Deal with your servants as you expect God should deal with you, and as those who believe they must give an account. You are both servants of the same Lord in the different relations in which you stand, and are equally accountable to him at last. Knowing that your Master also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him,’ ’ Eph. 6:9 . Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume . Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994. Print.

Freestanding Oak In antiquity, freestanding trees on hilltops were favorite cult places before Josiah’s reform. ‎Deut 12:2 ; 1 Kings 14:23 ; 2 Kings 16:4

My Verse for Today Acts 14:22-24 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, a “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God .” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.  The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Today's Verse of the Day is From Exodus 20:5 KJV Translation: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God , visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; N KJV Translation: You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God , visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Prayer Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Father , I thank You for Your grace and mercy to awake me this morning. My indwelling Spirit is telling me to include Your Word :  17 And the  Spirit  and the bride say,   “Come!”   And let him who hears say,  “Come!”  And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. ...  20 He who testifies to these things says,  “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come,  Lord Jesus ! 21 The grace of our  Lord Jesus Christ  be with you all. Amen.  Revelation 22: 17 ,  20-21 17  ( The  New King James Version )

January 31 Discipline Hebrews 12–13 I was a stubborn child. When disciplined by my parents, I would sulk for hours afterward. I didn’t see discipline from my parents’ perspective—as something that would mold me into a mature, loving person. Hebrews 12 has a lesson for people like me with a history of wallowing in self-pity when disciplined. Here, the writer of Hebrews tells us that God , a Father to us through the work of Jesus , disciplines us for our good. To emphasize this, the writer of Hebrews draws on the book of Proverbs , where the Father instructs His own Son . “ My son , do not make light of the Lord’s discipline , or give up when you are corrected by him . For the Lord disciplines the one who he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts” ( Heb 12:6 ; compare Prov 3:11–12 ). The author tells us that being disciplined is a sign of God’s love . It means He is working and active in our lives ( Heb 12:8 ). Like a chastised child, we might not always recognize...

But Because You are Lukewarm Excerpt ‎The Laodiceans were in spiritual things cold comparatively, but not cold as the world outside, and as those who had never belonged to the Church. The lukewarm state, if it be the transitional stage to a warmer, is a desirable state (for a little religion, if real, is better than none); but most fatal when, as here, an abiding condition, for it is mistaken for a safe state ( Rev 3:17 ). This accounts for Christ’s desiring that they were cold rather than lukewarm. For then there would not be the same “danger of mixed motive and disregarded principle” [Alford]. Also, there is more hope of the “cold,” that is, those who are of the world, and not yet warmed by the Gospel call; for, when called, they may become hot and fervent Christ ians : such did the once-cold publicans, Zaccheus and Matthew, become. But the lukewarm has been brought within reach of the holy fire, without being heated by it into fervor: having religion enough to lull the con...

Paul's Commitment to the Gospel ‎It was Paul’s custom to write about his own missionary labors and personal involvement with his readers, most naturally after the opening thanksgiving ( Rom. 1:11–15 ; 1 Thes. 2:17–3:11 ; cf. the lengthy [narration] in Gal. 1:10–2:21 ), but elsewhere also ( Rom. 15:14–32 ; 1 Cor. 16:1–11 ; Phm. 21–22 ). The irregularity of such features is simply a reminder that Paul treated matters of structure and format as completely adaptable to what he wanted to say. So after the lengthy thanksgiving ( cf . 1 Thes. 1:2–2:16 ), Paul picks up the final clause of the last section ( “of which I Paul became a minister” ) and fills it out. Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon : a Commentary on the Greek Text . Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press, 1996. Print. New International Greek Testament Commentary.

In Ancient Times Excerpt Jesus cites what was spoken “to the people long ago,” an expression that could also be rendered “in ancient times” or “by people long ago.” In any event, he refers to the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue given on Mount Sinai ( Exod 20:13 ). “Murder” is the correct rendering since the underlying Hebrew (ratsach, sometimes translated “kill” ) did not include killing in self-defense, wars ordered by Yahweh , capital punishment following due process of law, or accidental manslaughter. “Subject to” could also be rendered “liable.” Christ refers to one who currently stands condemned and is therefore in danger of judgment, but judgment is not inevitable if the proper remedy is sought. Like Moses, Jesus condemns murder, but he goes on to claim that harboring wrath in one’s heart is also sinful and deserving of punishment ( he doesn’t say it is as bad!). . Blomberg, Craig. Matthew . Vol. 22 . Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. P...

Diligence Excerpt ‎Verses 3-5 discuss diligence and sloth. Satisfaction of one’s appetite is related to the Lord ( v. 3 ); poverty and wealth result from laziness and diligence, respectively ( v. 4 ); industry characterizes a wise son and sleep characterizes a shameful son ( v. 5 ). The righteous is literally, “the soul of the righteous.” Since “soul” emphasizes the whole person, God has said here that He meets all one’s needs, including the needs of his body for food ( cf . Ps. 37:19 , 25 ). The craving of the wicked refers to their evil desires to bring about destruction and disaster. God can keep them from carrying out such plans. Like many verses in Proverbs , this verse is a generalization. It is usually true that the godly do not starve and that the wicked do not get all they desire. Buzzell, Sid S. “ Proverbs .” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1 . Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 925. P...

Paul's Experience Explained ( 3:1-16 ) Excerpt ‎Some commentators suggest that in this section Paul addressed his opponents. They say that he consciously countered a [perfectionist] group, sometimes called “divine men,” who claimed their own completeness. Others suggest that Paul produced this section because the Jewish opponents of 3:2 taught that perfection could be achieved by keeping the law. Still others see Paul continuing the logic of 3:4–11 , issuing a warning because of a tendency to misunderstand his teaching. His introduction of 3:15 with the words “all of us who are mature,” ( lit ., “perfect” ), however, suggests that there may have been some irony in his tone. The context does not require an opponent, and it is unlikely that he envisioned one. A group within the church may have misunderstood his teaching on justification and taken it to their own “logical” conclusions, which were theologically unacceptable. Melick, Richard R. Philippians , Co...

Viper ‎The viper is one of the about 35 snake species that are documented in the Near East. The Hebrew Scriptures mentions about ten different snakes, although often they cannot be identified exactly. ‎Exod 1:8; Deut 32:33 ; Prov 23:32 ; Isa 11:8 ; 30:6 ; Matt 23:33

Temple Size Comparisons

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine , I will repay,” says the Lord . Romans 12:19 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Today's Verse of the Day is From 1 Kings  19:11 KJV Translation: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD . And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD ; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: NKJV Translation: And he said, Go forth, and stand on the mount before the LORD . And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD ; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Prayer Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Thank You Lord for this day. Thank You for the awakening of my family, friends and enemies. Bless those that are in their   infirmities, no shelter from the cold weather, homeless, no food or incarcerated. In Jesus name . Amen. 

January 30 Difficult Definitions Hebrews 1-13 As an editor, I love definitions. The field of lexicography can be complex, but when a definition is finally solidified, there’s comfort to be found. It becomes something stable. This is also the reason I love the book of Hebrews : the author is keen on definitions, clarifying terminology, and using analogies to prove his points. “Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen” ( Heb 11:1 ). In this succinct definition, I have perspective on the essence of faith. There is no room for doubt or error. The hope referred to is Jesus . And the proof is in an assurance that even though we cannot see Him , we have confidence in His work both presently and in the future. The author goes on to say, “For by this [faith] the people of old were approved [by God ]. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God , in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is vis...

Humble Adoration Excerpt ‎This is the first of the four divisions of the Magnificat. In it she speaks of herself, and her deep feelings of adoration and of holy joy, and of intense glad surprise. It is a prayer, but the highest kind of prayer, for it asks for nothing—it simply breathes adoration and thankfulness. We may imagine the angels praying thus. They have all that created beings, however exalted, can desire in the beatific vision which they perpetually enjoy; and yet they pray continually, but only after this manner. The joy of her spirit, notice, is based on the fact of the revelation that he , God , was, too, her Saviour ; and, of course, not hers only: her great joy was in the thought of the salvation of the suffering, sinning world around her. Then she passes into simple wonderment that she should have been chosen as the instrument of the boundless goodness of God . She had nothing to recommend her only her low estate. Though royally descended, she only occupied a pos...

A Merciful and Faithful High Priest  Excerpt ‎Whatever their needs or trials, their Captain is adequate to help them since He ministers to Abraham’s descendants, not angels. The expression “Abraham’s descendants” ( lit ., “Abraham’s seed” ) may point to the Jewishness of the writer’s audience, but even Gentile Christ ians could claim to be the “seed of Abraham” in a spiritual sense ( Gal. 3:29 ). The help which the Captain gives to these His followers is again predicated on the fact that He was made like His brothers in every way ( Heb. 2:17 ), that is, both in terms of becoming incarnate and by virtue of suffering. Here for the first time the writer introduced the thought of His priesthood , which he elaborated on later. For now he was content to affirm that this identification with “ His brothers” had made possible a priesthood characterized both by mercy and fidelity in service to God . This involved, as its basis, atonement for the sins of the people. Of this too the...

Walking and Talking ‎ Jesus finished His work on earth ( John 17:4 )—the work of giving His life as a sacrifice for sin. Today He has an “unfinished work” in heaven. He represents us before God’s throne . As our High Priest , He sympathizes with our weaknesses and temptations and gives us grace ( Heb. 4:15–16 ; 7:23–28 ). As our Advocate , He helps us when we sin. When we confess our sins to God , because of Christ’s advocacy God forgives us . Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 2 . Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996. Print.

The Son of Man John 3:13 The purpose of this verse is to emphasize the heavenly origin of the Son of Man . John is the only one of the Gospel writers to emphasize this truth; it is basic to his theology. What gives the Son of Man his authority is his heavenly origin . The Son of Man … came down from heaven to tell men on earth about the things of heaven ( verse 12 ). That is, the coming of the Son of Man is an act of divine revelation. But more than revelation is involved, as can be seen from the following verses - it is also an act of self-giving which leads to the death of the Son of Man . Newman, Barclay Moon, and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on the Gospel of John . New York: United Bible Societies, 1993. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

Excommunication Excerpt ‎According to the Talmud, there were three grades of excommunication among the Jews. The first was called niddin, and those on whom it was pronounced were not permitted for thirty days to have any communication with any person unless at a distance over four cubits (about 6 feet). They were not prohibited from attending public worship, though they could not, during the thirty days, enter the temple by the ordinary gate. They were not allowed to shave during that time, and were required to wear garments of mourning. ‎The second was called cherem, and was pronounced on those who remained openly disobedient under the first. It was of greater severity than the other, and required the presence of at least ten members of the congregation to make it valid. The offender was formally cursed, was excluded from all intercourse with other people, and was prohibited from entering the temple or synagogue. ‎The third was shammatha, and was inflicted on those who ...

    13      For I , the LORD your God , will hold your right hand,     Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’   Isaiah 41:13 ( Ref . Psa. 72:13 ; Isa. 41:10 ;  Isa.   42:6;   Isa.   45:1 ) The New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Today's Verse of the Day is From Job  1:21 KJV Translation: 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord . NKJV Translation: 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord . Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Prayer Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Bless the President of the  United  States  of  America  and the federal government, State governments as well as Local governments. Without the whole nation turning back to  You ,   we will eventually erode, decay and crumble from within this great nation because of prejudices and  hatred  for those that are non- Caucasian.  We are  Your  creations. Adam and Eve are our original parents, thus,  making us all  humans  sisters and brothers  whether some  like it or not .   In the name of  Jesus . Amen.

January 29 The New Deal Hebrews 10 “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.” These words were spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech which unveiled a series of economic strategies for ending the Great Depression. We love newness because it holds hope. The same should be true when we look to the new covenant of Jesus . Although it may not feel quite as new as it did nearly 2,000 years ago—when it altered the spiritual landscape like the New Deal forced economic vitality into America—it still holds the same power today. This covenant is first mentioned in Hebrews 8 ; and in Hebrews 10 , we see the full implications of it: “For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.… Now where there is forgiveness of [sins], there is no longer an offering for sin” ( Heb 10:14 , 18 ). Prior to Jesus , there was a need for regular sacrifices for sins to be made, but since Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for our sin...

God Makes a Covenant with Abram Excerpt ‎Chapter 15 consists of a series of dialogues or conversations between God and Abram in which the narrator pauses at certain points to address the reader or to describe events. The chapter is divided into two parts. In the first part God promises Abram a son and many descendants ( verses 1–6 ). In the second God promises Abram the land ( verses 15.7–21 ). ‎In the first section God is the speaker in verses 1 , 4 , and 5 ; and Abram is the speaker in verses 2 and 3 . The narrator closes the first episode by addressing the reader in verse 6 . In the second episode God speaks in verses 7 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 , and 16 , and Abram in verse 8 . In verses 10 , 11 , and 12 , the narrator describes for the reader what Abram does and what happens to him. Beginning with verse 13 and continuing through verse 16 , the action is interrupted as God foretells what will happen to Abram’s descendants and how he will die. The narrator then conc...

Our Speech ‎The mouth is a poetic use of one of the organs of speech and refers to the words or thoughts spoken by the righteous, that is, a good, honest person. Fountain of life is similar to “tree of life” used in 3:18 . See there for comments. The expression is used in Psa 36.9 ( Hebrew verse 10 ), where it refers to God as being the source or creator of all life. In 16:22 Wisdom is a fountain of life. In this verse the expression refers to the words of the righteous, perhaps because such people are identified with the wise and with wisdom. Reyburn, William David, and Euan McG. Fry. A Handbook on Proverbs . New York: United Bible Societies, 2000. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey   ‎The phrase a land flowing with milk means that Canaan was ideal for raising goats and cows. Feeding on good pastureland the goats, sheep, and cows were full of milk. Flowing with honey means that the bees were busy making honey. Milk and honey suggested agricultural prosperity. This is the first of numerous references in the Old Testament to the “land flowing with milk and honey” ( cf . v. 17 ; 33:3 ; Lev. 20:24 ; Num. 13:27 ; 14:8 ; 16:13-14 ; Deut. 6:3 ; 11:9 ; 26:9 , 15 ; 27:3 ; 31:20 ; Josh. 5:6 ; Jer. 11:5 ; 32:22 ; Ezek. 20:6 , 15 ). Hannah, John D. “ Exodus .” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 112. Print.

You Shall Not Steal Excerpt ‎A person has a right to life, freedom and property. These rights are respected and protected by the commandment not to steal. No society can establish trust when theft and burglary are rife. Terrible pain and disruption come from such crimes as kidnapping and slavery. Death itself can result from the theft of someone’s livelihood or savings. Knowles, Andrew. The Bible Guide. 1st Augsburg books ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001. Print.

The Man and Woman in the Garden Excerpt ‎Studies in the rhetorical features of 1:1–2:3 and 2:4–25 have shown that they are two complementary descriptions that present a congruent narrative, the second picking up on the skeletal telling of the former. They possess a number of similarities in literary structure and content that recommend that they are the product of one hand. Scholars are recognizing that chaps. 1 and 2 are not a repetition of the same matters that in places are at odds with one another, but rather chap. 2 is a thematic elaboration of the key features found in 1:1–2:3 .

My Verse for Today Matthew 26:56 56 "But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. The New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print."

Today's Verse of the Day is From Colossians  3:15 KJV Translation: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. NKJV Translation: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful. Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. http://www.thomasnelson.com/bibles.html?translation=45 © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Prayer Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Most  Holy Father , I thank  You  for  Your grace and mercy  to see another day with my family friends and enemies. Bless the peoples of the world that are living in the poorest of conditions. Remove their Dictators, Presidents and ???. Bless the  United   States  of   America  because we are withering under lies from Congressional leaders, the Supreme Court, State and Local governments. And until we come back to  You ,  You will  not hear our prayers, but bless those that are true to  Your commandments and precepts . In  Jesus' name . Amen.

January 28 Carpe Diem Genesis 44 ; Hebrews 8–9 ; Ecclesiastes 11:1–4 The Latin phrase Carpe Diem, means “seize the day.” Taking risks to make your life extraordinary is biblical, if done according to God’s plan and principles . The idea behind this comes from Ecclesiastes : “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” ( Eccl 11:1 ). Bread acts as the symbol for substance in the ancient world; the author of Ecclesiastes is suggesting that we should follow God’s plan , even at the possible cost of our livelihood. He then suggests that what we give to God , He will return. This is opposite from a self-protection mentality. The “waters” in the proverb represent chaos, suggesting that in letting go of even the most chaotic circumstances, we learn about God’s ability to give what we need. This is further illustrated when the author says, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.… He who observes...

Those Who Hate their Brother Excerpt ‎This warning is clearly intended for Christ ians as the words “his brother” plainly show. An unsaved person can indeed hate a brother of physical kin, but since he has no spiritual kin he cannot really hate his (spiritual) brother. If John thought that no Christ ian could hate another Christ ian , there was no need to personalize the relationship with the word “his.” But the opinion, held by some, that a true Christ ian could never hate another Christ ian is naive and contrary to the Bible and experience. Even so great a man as King David was guilty of murder, which is the final expression of hate. John was warning his readers against a spiritual danger that is all too real ( cf . 1:8 , 10 ). And he was affirming that a Christ ian who can hate his fellow Christ ian has not genuinely escaped from the darkness of this present passing Age. To put it another way, he has much to learn about God and cannot legitimately claim an intima...

Be Humble Toward One Other Excerpt ‎Humility preserves peace and order in all Christ ian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God , will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. But it is to be in due time; not in thy fancied time, but God’s own wisely appointed time. Does he wait, and wilt not thou? What difficulties will not the firm belief of his wisdom, power, and goodness get over! Then be humble under his hand . Cast “all you care;” personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God . These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God . The remedy is, to cast our care upon...

Symbolism of Blindness Excerpt ‎Some of Jesus’ healings of the blind may function as symbolic characterizations of the revelation and recognition of Jesus’ profound identity . That may be the case in the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida in Mark 8:22-26 . The painstaking, step-by-step manner in which Jesus performs this healing characterizes the way he is trying to bring his disciples to understand and ‘see’ his profound identity . This healing serves as a symbolic anticipation and transition to the confession of Jesus as ‘the Christ ’ in Mark 8:29 . Similarly, Bartimaeus, healed of his blindness, represents the insightful disciple who follows Jesus to Jerusalem, the place of his suffering and death ( Mark 10:46-52 ). The healing of the man born blind in John 9 characterizes the spiritual ‘blindness’ of the Jews and indicates how Jesus is the ‘ light of the world .’   ‎The concept of blindness was particularly appropriate for metaphorical use; it often charac...

T‎he Tullianum: A Prison in Rome The Romans did not consider imprisonment itself a form of punishment—prisons were used to hold those awaiting trial or the death penalty and often served as places of execution. Prisons were filthy and crowded, and prisoners were treated as little better than dead. According to tradition, Peter and Paul were both imprisoned here.

Test the Spirits Excerpt ‎John begins with a warning about the false spirits in the world. Keep in mind that the NT was not yet completed and what had been written was not widely known; until the completion of the NT , the local churches depended on the ministry of people with spiritual gifts to teach them truth. How could a believer know when a preacher was from God and that his message could be trusted? ( See 1 Thes. 5:19–21.) After all, Satan is an imitator. John states that the false spirits will not confess that Jesus is the Christ ( see 1 Cor. 12:3 ). The false cults today deny the deity of Christ and make Him a mere man or an inspired teacher. But the Christ ian has the Spirit within, the new nature, and this gives overcoming power. ‎There are two spirits in the world today: God’s Spirit of Truth , who speaks through the inspired Word , and Satan’s spirit of error that teaches lies ( 1 Tim. 4:1ff ).  Teachers sent by God will speak from God , and God’s...

The Adornment of a Christ ian Woman Excerpt ‎Peter in verses 1 and 2 exhorts these Christ ian wives to win their husbands to the Lord by pious living. In this verse , he forbids them to depend upon outward adornment in their effort at gaining their husbands, and not only upon outward adornment as such, but upon worldly adornment, the kind which they wore before they were saved, immodest, gaudy, conspicuous. These women were making the mistake of thinking that if they would dress as the world dressed, that that would please their unsaved husbands, and they would thus be influenced the easier to take the Lord Jesus as Saviour . It is true that they would be pleased, pleased because the appearance of their wives appealed to their totally depraved natures, and pleased because the Christ ian testimony of their wives was nullified by their appearance. They would say, “What you appear to be speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying.” It is not true that that would help win ...

My Verse for the Day Micah 7:18     Who is a God like You ,     Pardoning iniquity     And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage ?     He does not retain His anger forever,     Because He delights in mercy.  The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Today's Verse of the Day is From Micah  7:19 KJV Translation: He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. NKJV Translation: He will turn again, he will have compassion on us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Prayer Mart DeHaan " Father  in heaven, forgive us for calling  biblical  anything that does't reflect  Your heart and story . Please help us today to care for others in a way that will enable them to see  Your  Son  in us, and  You  in  Him ." [In  Jesus' name . Amen.] Mart DeHaan, mart.dehaan@rbc.org,  Been Thinking About, What Is Biblical?  Copyright  2013  Our Daily Bread Ministries

January 27 Revenge Isn’t Sweet  Genesis 42:29–43:34 It’s easy to revel in vigilante justice, be joyful in the irony of someone getting “what’s coming to them,” or feel satisfied when “bad Karma comes back around” to others. The colloquialisms around the subject alone demonstrate our infatuation with justice. Joseph is similarly impassioned; he schemes against his brothers who sold him into slavery. At the beginning of Gen 43 , Joseph’s brothers must go back to Egypt to request food from him—their younger brother, whom they do not recognize. Joseph waits for the youngest, Benjamin, to join them. What Joseph intends to do when he does, we’re not told. When Benjamin and the other brothers arrive, Joseph is either moved with empathy or chooses to act upon his original plan of revealing himself in front of all his brothers ( Gen 43:16 , 29 ). Joseph even helps them financially, signaling that he somehow still cares for them ( Gen 44 ). Yet it doesn’t seem that Joseph has for ...

Today's Verse of the Day is From Lamentations  3:24 KJV Translation: The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him . NKJV Translation: The LORD is my portion, said my soul; therefore will I hope in him . Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 26 Lesson 9 SHOWING COMPASSION FOR THE POOR DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 19:1–10 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Luke 16 LUKE 16:19–31 KEY VERSE "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. —( Luke 16:10) " LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to: 1.      Retell in his or her own words the account of the rich man and Lazarus. 2.      Explain what today’s text teaches about caring for the poor and about caring for the lost. 3.      Evaluate what his or her church is doing to address the needs of the poor and the lost; plan at least one improvement. LESSON OUTLINE Introduction       A.      Relief Efforts       B.      Lesson Background           I.      Rich and Poor ( LUK...

Lesson January 26, 2014 Showing Compassion for the Poor Luke 16 This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD . ______ By Sam E. Stone The parable we study today follows directly the story that Jesus told about the unjust steward ( Luke 16:1-15 ). J. W. McGarvey suggested, “If the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them.” Rich and Poor Luke 16:19-21 Luke explains that it was the rich man’s habit to wear costly and well-made clothing. He was literally “making merry brilliantly,” enjoying unprecedented luxury every day. This parable may have been intended especially for the Pharisees, who were lovers of money ( v. 14 ). In contrast to the rich man, Jesus introduced a  beggar . This term is used 34 times in the New Testament and is translated “poor” in every verse except here ( v. 20 ...